Rhys killer's mother faces jail

The mother of Rhys Jones's killer has been told she faces a prison sentence for lying to detectives investigating the schoolboy's murder.

Janette Mercer, 49, broke down and wept as she changed her plea and admitted perverting the course of justice at Liverpool Crown Court.

Mercer intentionally misled police about the mountain bike her son Sean used to cycle from the scene of the 11-year-old's killing in Croxteth on August 22, 2007.

The 18-year-old rode a silver Specialised Hardrock mountain bike which he got through an insurance company on April 3.

His previous bike was stolen on February 24 - several months before Rhys was shot and his mother was involved in negotiations to replace it, the court heard.

Outlining the basis of plea, Anne Whyte, prosecuting, said Mercer was present during her son's police interview three days after the murder in which he lied by claiming saying he only owned a black and cream bicycle.

Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, admitted lying in a police statement on September 7, saying Sean only owned one bike and she did not know how long he had possessed it. But she clearly did - for only six months earlier she had arranged for the replacement bike to be delivered.

"She gave information she knew could mislead the inquiry," said Miss Whyte.

Only the basis of plea was mentioned during the hearing and none of the background detail.

The gunman's bike was eventually recovered abandoned and bearing his DNA. It was a key part of the evidence during Mercer's trial in December.